Water heater



Feb-27, 11923.

E. E. ROUSE' WATER HEATER 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1920 RousE WATERHEATER Filed May 920 4 sheets- 2 E.E.ROUSE WATER HEATER ,4 sheets-sheet5 Filed May'6, 1920 Feb; 27, m3. 1,4465% E. E. ROUSE WATER HEATER FiledMay 6, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented: Feh. 2-7,

UNETE? if it ERNEST EDWARD HOUSE, OF NEWQUAY,

naturism).

wanna rrnarnn.

Application filed May 6, 1920. Serial No. 373,368.

T (rZZi whom it may concern:

Be it known that 5, Banner EDWARD ltousn, subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Maur, Newquay,

in. the county of Cornwall, England; have invented new and usefulimprovements in and Relating to Water Heaters, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to and has for its object the provisionot animproved construction adapted to employ gas asthe heating medium and bywhich many of the difficulties encountered hitherto in constructing andoperating water 1 5 heaters are avoided.

The apparatus constructed according the invention is self contained andhas no external taps, cocks, or piping of any kind, the entire structurebeing built of elements which are simple and cheap to manufacture. Theentire heater is carried by the rotary part of a valve which controlsthe gas and water supply and which is so constructed that partialrotation ot the heater in either direction causes both gas and watersupply to be opened or closed simultaneously.

In order to utilize the heat of the gases ascending through theapparatus "from the burner to the utmos't possible extent these gasesare caused to pass through an annular chamber in the centre of which isa column through which incoming water ascends and is'preheated. ater isalso caused to fiow down the outer wall ot the annular chamber through aseries of annular cups by which it is repeatedly brought into contactwith the wall and to ensure that the maximum heating effect is impartedto the wall it is provided with a number o1 batlies which compel thegases to take a tortuous path and bring them into repeated contact withthe wall. The construction of the upper end or" the wall is such thatthe water is continuously heated during its transference from thecentral column to the exterior oi the heated wall whilst to utilizestill further the heat of the gases of combustion the latter may becaused to pass through the water during such transference. This latterfeature, however, is not essential as the water may be continuouslyheated during transference without actually coming in contact with thegases.

water heaters The invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which I Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of acomplete water heater constructed inaccordance with the invention. i i aFigure 2 is a sectional elevation tied form of head. i

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of another modified form of head.

Figure 4 is a sectionalplan of Figure taken on the line A-A.

' Figure 5 is a plan of the burner ring and Figure 6 is a sectionalelevation of a modilied form of burner construction.

The water heating parts of the apparatus are enclosed by a casing 13 ofsheet metal or other suitable material secured in any convenient mannerto the lower upturned rim 1% of a base 1 carried on the outer edge oi aburner ring n supported as hereinot modiatter described in a casting 38.Disposed vertically inthe centre of the casing 13 is a pipe i: throughwhich incoming water ascends and which extends downwardly belowthe base1 and has screwed thereon a conical plug 3'? seated in the casting 38which is formed with a gas inlet passage 39 and a water inlet passage40.

The centre of the plug 37 is hollow and its lower end is closed by ascrew threaded stud L2 integral with a nut 43 bearingon a washer n; Thelower end of the pipe at opens into the central portion 45 oi": thehollow passage through the plug 37 which communicates when the valve isopen by a port &6 with the water inlet passage 40. The flow of waterfrom the passage 40 to the pipe t is controlled by a conical valve head47 on a spindle 48 carrying an operating wheel at, engagement with thestud 42 and nut 43 through which it passesso that upon rotation of saidspindle the valve head 4-7 is raised or lowered accordingly.

The upper end of the plug 37 is hollowed out to larger diameter than thelower portion to provide an annular chamber 50 adapted to communicate,when the valve is open, by a port 51 with the gas inlet passage 39. Aboss 52 on the burner ring tl extends downwardly into the annularchamber 50, gas passing through a narrow the spindle having screwthreaded pass. air inlet and base of the heater.

annular space 53 between the boss 32 and "the top 54 of the plug to theburner after described being provided in the base 1 for condensedmoisture from the heating chamber which falls into a tray 66 disposed ina dished portion of the upper surface of the casting 38, see Figure l.

Surrounding the plug 37 on its periphery above the port 51. is anannular groove 59 communicating permanently with gas inlet passage 39 byan inclined passage 60. The groove 59 communicates by a short tube 61extending across the annular chamber 50 with a bypass passage 62 formedin the boss 52 and terminates in a short tube 63 curved over above theburners 41. The by-pass 63 is always kept alight and the arrangement ofthe groove 59 possesses the advantage that any gas which may leak up thesurface of the plug- 87 the passage 39 will enter said groove and beutilized in the lay-pass. Similarly any water which may leak up the faceof the plug from the water inlet passage 40 enters a groove 64; andleaves the casingby a port 65.

A water inlet pipe '67 screw threaded into the 35% should preferably beprovided with a suitable check device as indicated at ih.

lheburner ring al has formed near its periphery a number of blocks 80,four being shown in the example illustrated, see Figure 5, these blocksbeing provided on their upper external edges with grooves 81 pro vidinga seating for the base 1 the lower inner edge of which rests in thegrooves. Spaces 58 are thereby left between the blocks through which anyadditional air re quired for combustion may enter ano through whichcondensed moisture may escape to the tray 66.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 6 the construction of thecasting 38,plug 37 and parts associated therewith is similar to that shown inidigure 1. the modification consistin in the construction of the burner.byin this arrangement a completely cylindrical 'c:1r-;irrr;,l3 isemployed and is secured to a base 1" of smaller diameter relatively tothe base-1. Figi'ire l. The boss 52 is formed in tegrallywith a tube 69which forms with the interior of the base 1 an annular chamber 79. themouth of which is covered with gauze S2 and constitutes the burner. Thetube 69 is secured to the base l by screws 71. both when the port 51.cut off from tube and base being provided at the points where the screwholes are situated with protruding machined surfaces 7 to ensure equalspacing of the tube and base at all points. (has leaves the plug 37 bythe annular space 53 as before and enters the annular chamber I tanceabove the upper extremity of the tube 69. A number of tubes 78communicating with a circular groove 79 in the upper sur face of theboss serves to collect condensed moisture and convey it to the tray 66.

with vertical ribs or fins 2 forminga-nnular channels 3, the scribedhereinafter; A wall 6 forms an upward continuation of the base '1, theup\ ard passage of the from the burner being confined to an annularspace 5 between the pipe *l'and the wall 6 and the downward. passage ofthe water to an annular space l8 between. the wall (3 and the outercasing The wall 6 is provided witha number of bullies 7 and externalannular cups 8 and. is built up in the following manner. The baf fiesand cups are formed. by inverted truncated conical members bent inwardlyslightat 9 and provided on the portions destined to form the baffles 7with serrations 10. The conicalmeinbers may be formed in anycouvenientmanner.

The base 1 Figure l is preferably providedpiupose of which will be de-'ly at their upper and larger ends. as shown' By providing baffles ofthis shape it has been found that they absorb heat more rea lily andradiate it to the annular cups 8 in which wateris heated diiiring itsdescent therefrom. r j

The wall 6 comprises a number ofrings ll bevelled at top and bottom toprovide seatings for the conical members. The complete structuretherefore consists of alterating rings 11 and conical members solderedor otherwise secured incorrect relati ve positions, the lowermostconical member resting on and being secured to the upper bevelled edge12 of the base 1. An outlet 1?- for heated, water is provided throughthe rim is and easing pipe 16.

The wall 6 built up in the, manner above described terminates in a head17 which is formed with a tapered portion 19,. through 13 communicating"with a the center of which the upper portion of the.

and has a lip 20 of semi-circular nae-ears cross section, which isflared outwardly and bent over as shown. The tapered portion 19 isprovided with ports 21 opposite which is disposed an annular inclinedbaflie 22.

The casing 1% follows approximately the contour of the head 17 butterminates in an outwardly flared opening 23.

Referring now to Figure 2, which illustrates a device more especiallydesigned for use with high pressure systems, a wall 6 and outer casing13 are provided as before, the former terminating in a portion 24: tnarrower diameter flared outwardly slightly at its upper end. Thecentral pipe or column is open at its upper end and has screw threadedthereon hollow mushroom head provided on its underside with one or morerings of perforations 26. In the upper side of the head 25 is a boss 27providing a bearing tor a. screw threaded spindle 28 marrying at itsupper. end a milled hand wheel 29 and at its lower end a conical valvemember 30 adapted when screwed down to enter the open end of the pipe land limit the flow of water therefrom. The member also acts at all timesas a battle to direct the ascending water towards the perforations Thehead 25 also carries by means of distance pieces 31 a curved annularbaflle 82 the lower end of which terminates at a point closely adjacentto the portion 2a of the wall 6 whilst the upper end of said bailieterminates in a rim 33 adapted to engage and be secured to the upperedge ot' the casing-13.

The portion 24- of the wall 6 may also ii? desired be provided withvertical annular ribs or fins 3 L forming annular channels around saidwall.

A. turther modification of the head oi? the apparatus is illustrated inFigures 3 and 4t in which a head 83 terminates the wall 6 and isprovided with ports 84: through which the gases from the burner leavethe annular chamber 5. The head 83 is screwed on to the upper end of thepipe 4 and is formed with a cup :20 from which water flows throughgrooves or channels 85 out between the ports (ll into the annular space18. The rate of flow is controlled so that water passes in a thin filmover the head and is directed by the shape of the head into theuppermost cup 8 of the series, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is to be noted that in the assembly oi the parts above described thecentral pipe or column l forms a connection between the head of theheater and the plug 3?. By its screw threaded connection with the upperend ot the wall 6 which is made tast before use with the base 1, thelatter carrying the cas iug 13 and the burner ring are secured inposition when the plug 37 is secured to the lower end of the pipe 4allowing the whole apparatus to be rotated in the casting 38. To effectthis rotation for the purpose of turning on or oil the water and gas,the operator grasps the outlet pipe 16 or a suit. heat insulated handlewhich may he athu' red thereto.

The operation of a water heater constructed according to the invent-ionis as follow 1-- By means of the by-pass (35 or 1'? the burner isignited simultaneously with the admission of water to the pipe a whenthe apparatus is turned to the position shown in Figure 1. air forconrou ion being sucked. in through the passage (ligure l) or passage 70(Figure The water receives a preliminary heatii during its passage tothe top ot'the pipe by the gases oi combustimi asccndii r through theannular space 5 and leaving it by the ports 21. The water on leaving thepipe lills the cup 20 and flows in a thin film over the annular lip 20in leavingwhich it encounters the issuing troin the ports 21 which passthrough the t'alling iilm of water to which they give up their heat andleave the apparatus hy the outlet 2?). the heated water being directedby the battle 22 towards the exterior of the wall. 6 where it falls intothe first of the series 0'? cups The particular formation of the lip 20cuables heat to be imparted continuously to the water during itstransterence from the pipe at to the annular space 18.

When the construction of head illustrated in Figure 2 is employed theoperation is very similar to that of the form. the ter issuing irom thetop of the pipe filling the head 25 and Falling through the performtions 26 in a number of line streams meet" the hotgases of combustionascending: from the interior of the wall 6. The water doscends betweenthe lower end of halile and the wall 6' and is caught in the annularchan nel 35 it used and thereby retained tor short time in close contactwith the wall. ensure thorough heating. The conihusti gases afterpassing through the water t ing from the pe "iOl'fltlOllS "J5 and iuipaheat thereto, away through the spacearound the edge ot the head 25between the distance picc '1. 31 to the atmosphere.

The construction ot head illustrated in. Figures fl and 4- is designedior use in cases where it desired to avoid actual contact between thewater and comhustion lo this case water fi ls the cup 20" and flows in athin tilrn through the channels into the annular space the gases issuingfrom the ports 9e. and leaving by the outlet 23.

The water after passing the head ot the apparatus as above describedenters the uppermost cup 8 ot the series wherein it is subjected tofurther heating from the adjacent wall 6. As overflows into the secondof the series this operation being repeated throughout the series ofcups 8 and annular channels 3 until,

the cup becomes full, the water th'eheated water leaves by the outlet 15and pipe 16. By this arrangement very thorough and uniform heating ofthe water is assured as in each cup the incoming water is cooler thanthe Water already there which latter rises to the surface and falls intothe neXt succeeding cup, this efiect I being more marked and necessaryin the uppermost cups ofthe series. The rate of feed maintained is suchthat the water in overflowing from one cup to the next will flow downthe under surface of each cup.

The hot gases ascending through the annular space 5 are compelled by thebaiiles 7 and the serrations 10 therein to assume a tortuous path whichbrings them into repeated and intimate contact with the inner surfacesof the rings 11 -forming the wall 6 whilst the heat imparted to thebafile portions 7 of the cups- 8 passes by conduction into the latterwhereby the water in said cups is surroundedinternally and externallywith'heated surfaces. The annular channels 3 aiicrd a means of bringingthe water into very close contact with the hot gases as they leave theburner, this being the final step in a series of operations by which thewater is treated in a number of successive receptacles each hotter thanthe one preceding it whereby hot Water may be obtained in a very shortspace of time after the burner has been lit.

I claim l. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central watersupply column, a cylindrical. wall disposed intermediately of said casinand column a luralit of downwardly directed bailles carried on theinnersurface of said wall, a vertical series of annular cups disposed on theouter surface of said wall and closed at their lower ends, a burner atthe lower end of said casing, and means for transferring the. waterwhile continually heating same from said column to the first of saidseries of annular cups.

2. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supplycolumn, a plurality of superimposed cylindrical members forming anannular chamber for combustion products, a plurality of invertedtruncated conical members alternating with said cylindrical inemberstoform a series of annular cups externally of said chamber and a series ofbaflies internally of said chamber, a 7 burner at the base 01' saidcasing, and means for transferring the water while continuously heatingsame from said column to said series of cups.

3. A water heater comprisingan outer casing, a central water supplycolumn, a cylindrical wall disposed intermediately of gas and waterbeneath said casing, means whereby partial rotation ofsaid casing servesto open and close the gas and water supplies simultaneously, and meansfor transferring the water while continuously heating same from saidsolumn to said series of cups.

4. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supplycolumn, a cylindrical wall disposed intermediately of said casing andcolumn and secured to said column at its upper end and to said casing atits base, a plurality of downwardly directed baflles carried on theinner surface. of said wall, a vertical series of annular cups disposedon the outer surface ofisaid wall and closed at their lower ends, aburnerat the base of said casing, means for transferring the water whilecontinually heating same from said column to said seriesof annular cups,a valve memberhaving gas and water inlets secured to the base of saidcol umn, and means whereby partial rotation of the apparatus brings saidinlets into and out of communication with gas and water supplies.

5. A water; heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supplycolumn, extending below the base of said casing, a plurality ofsuperimposed cylindrical members forming an annular chamber forcombustion products, a gas burner at the base of said chamber, apluralityof inverted truncated conical members alternating with saidcylin-- drical members to form a series of annular cups externally ofsaid chamber and a series of bafiles internally of said chamber, a connection between the top of said chamber and said column, a connectionbetween the base of said chamber and the casing, means for lOOtransferring water from said column across said chamber to said seriesof annular cups, a valve member having gas and water inlets secured tothe base of said column and means whereby partial rotation of theapparatus brings said inlets into and out of communication with gas andwater supplies.

In witness whereof I affix my signature.

ERNEST EDWARD HOUSE.

